“I will persist until I succeed” - Og Mandino, The Greatest Salesman in the World

Many persons in leadership positions are blessed with natural talent. This talent, by itself, can take you a good distance up the ladder. However, nobody makes it to the top without help. Consider the case of Andy Murray who was very persistent and good enough on his own to make it to the semi finals, even the finals, of a Grand Slam in tennis, but not to win the title. In 2012, he chose to get help from Ivan Lendl, someone who was a former number 1 and who had won several Grand Slam titles. The change in his game and his attitude was noticeable. He didn’t win the Grand Slam immediately but he persisted. By the end of 2012, with the help of his coach, he won the Gold medal at the London Olympics, immediately followed by the US Open Grand Slam title.

Wherever you are in your organization and whatever your specific situation, there is someone in the world who has had a similar experience, the lessons of which can be applied to your specific situation. These persons function as our coaches or mentors. They cheer us on, guide us, and are bold enough to tell us when our approach is not working. Do you consult with others before taking major decisions, or are you totally self-reliant? How has your choice impacted your relationship with your team?